I am the last one to be giving out fly tying advice... It is difficult to tell by the pictures, but it almost looks like you tied the elk hair in by the tips. That might just be attributed to the shadows in the photo.

Keep at it Dave. You'll get it. Learning to work with deer and elk hair can be a bit frustrating when you are just learning how to tie. The hair stacker will make a big difference. The video that HA provided is an excellent technique for locking in a deer hair wing. I use it all the time and it just flat out works. Like I said, when just starting to work with deer hair, it flairs when you don't want it to and it doesn't flair when you do want it to. IMO the most important things are to maintain total control of the hair while tying it on and learning how to apply various thread tension to achieve your desired end result. Keep practicing you are doing a great job!

I'm kinda pissed @ myself I was a lil lazy and/or didn't give any thought to tying this winter. Gonna try to get into it next year or maybe even pick up a book and/or beginner tying set this year and pick some of ur minds down the road.

Any recommendations?

DJ .. how are u finding it?

Posted on: 2013/2/13 8:47

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Stagger_Lee wrote:I'm kinda pissed @ myself I was a lil lazy and/or didn't give any thought to tying this winter. Gonna try to get into it next year or maybe even pick up a book and/or beginner tying set this year and pick some of ur minds down the road.

Any recommendations?

DJ .. how are u finding it?

Pick up a book, watch the videos on you tube and elsewhere, but most important, get someone who knows how to show you the steps. Otherwise you'll miss things like the stacker and something as simple as which direction the hair goes into the stacker.

I'm finding it like FF....Fun and aggravating all at the same time.

Like everyone says, it's a whole new kick when you catch them on your own tie!

mpschramm wrote:I am the last one to be giving out fly tying advice... It is difficult to tell by the pictures, but it almost looks like you tied the elk hair in by the tips. That might just be attributed to the shadows in the photo.

Stagger: I got a starter kit from cabela's and it has a lot of the materials you'll need. The hackle feathers leave a little to be desired if you're tying dries, but otherwise it's a decent kit. I was able to pick up a set of tools for about $10. Lots of great tying videos here (http://vimeo.com/user3412872)

Stagger_Lee wrote:I'm kinda pissed @ myself I was a lil lazy and/or didn't give any thought to tying this winter. Gonna try to get into it next year or maybe even pick up a book and/or beginner tying set this year and pick some of ur minds down the road.

Any recommendations?

DJ .. how are u finding it?

Hey Stagger,

If you are interested in learning the basics of fly tying to get started, the Orvis store in Plymouth Meeting is giving free fly-tying lessons every Saturday in February. All tools and materials are provided. There is still space in the classes on Feb 16th & 23rd.

I know I mentioned it while we were tying, but I just want you to know how impressive your tying is already. You do a lot of things instinctively that are very fundamentally sound.

That comparadun you tied is pretty impressive! I know guys that have been tying for years that can't tie one that good. You should post a picture of it.

Tie some comparaduns in 14's, then move down to 16's, then finally 18's. You'll need size 18's with the olive dubbing shortly (like NOW). Remember - the smaller the fly, the less deer hair for the wing.